A New Chapter Begins: The Studio@620 Hosts Community Open House to Launch Visionary New Era
By Avery Anderson
For more than two decades, The Studio@620 has been a cultural cornerstone in St. Petersburg, a space where creativity, conversation, and community converge. Now, the Studio is turning the page. On Saturday, May 31, the organization invites the public to an open house celebration, Inside the Studio, marking the launch of a bold new chapter under fresh leadership, with a renewed mission and reimagined vision for the future.
The free, drop-in event will run from 1:00 to 3:30 PM, welcoming longtime supporters and first-time visitors alike to explore newly renovated studio spaces, meet the new leadership and board, and take part in shaping what’s next for one of St. Pete’s most beloved arts institutions.
“We’re not just opening our doors — we’re recommitting to our role as a home for radical imagination and collective belonging,” said Erica Sutherlin, The Studio’s new Artistic Executive Director. “This open house is more than a celebration. It’s an invitation.”
A Studio for the People, Powered by the People
The event will feature a range of interactive and reflective experiences that spotlight The Studio’s values and aspirations, including the opening of the upstairs gallery and opportunities to meet the artists behind the work:
- Behind-the-scenes tours of the newly upgraded upstairs spaces, designed to host rehearsals, residencies, and community programming
- A digital exhibition tracing the Studio’s history and laying out its future
- A “Where Do You Fit?” activity inviting guests to imagine their role in the Studio’s evolving story
- A community story wall for sharing dreams, memories, and feedback
- A staffed “Ask Me Anything” corner for dialogue with board and staff members
- Live social media moments, including a photo challenge and community hashtag
- A recorded conversation with Erica Sutherlin, led by local news anchor Frank Wiley @ 2:00 PM
Attendees will also have opportunities to learn about upcoming programming, new initiatives, and ways to get involved — whether as artists, audience members, collaborators, or supporters.
The Mission, Reimagined
Since its founding, The Studio@620 has nurtured creative risk-takers and fostered vibrant dialogue across disciplines and identities. This moment affirms those roots while widening the circle.
The Studio’s new mission is to ignite cultural vibrancy and propel creative careers by creating a space where artists, audiences, and collaborators connect, innovate, and explore the intersections of storytelling, society, and technology. With a renewed focus on community-centered artmaking, shared leadership, and equitable access to space and support, The Studio is building a sustainable, artist-driven ecosystem — and aiming to become a national model for what a 21st-century arts space can be.
“We’re saying yes to bold ideas, deep partnerships, and real equity,” said Sutherlin. “This is about expanding the possibilities for what art can do — and who it’s for.”
Event Details
What: Inside the Studio — Celebrating a New Chapter at The Studio@620
When: Saturday, May 31, 2025 | Drop in anytime between 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Where: The Studio@620 | 620 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Admission: Free and open to the public
Website: https://thestudioat620.org/events/inside-the-studio/